Illusion apparatus



June 17, 1930. ELE. sHLoTz ILLUSION APPARATUS Filed D80. 5. 1927 -INVEN 0R. f/mer. E. Sch oz l By y 1 ATTORNEY.

Patented June 17, `193() UNITED STATES ELMER E. SCHLOTZ, F DENVER, COLORADO ILLUSION APPARATUS Application filed December 5, V1927. Serial No. 237,858.

in a theatre by making it appear that the performers move and act ina body of water.

The invention 1s more particularly designed for use in musical acts inasmuch as it provides for the propagation of the sound of music to the audience notwithstanding the body of water by which the musicians are separated from the audience.

An embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the views and in which Figure 1 represents a pcrspcctiife view of the illusion apparatus in its preferred form,

Figure 2, a fragmentary section along the line 2 2, Figure Figure 3, a similar section showing a modified construction of the tank included in the apparatus,

Figure 4, a transverse section taken on thc line 4 4 Figure 2, and drawn to a larger scale, and

Figure 5, a section similar to Figure 4, showing another modification in the construction of the tank.

The principal element in the invention is a tank 5 adapted to contain a body of water 6 and sufficiently large to form a screen between one or more musicians and their instruments on a stage, and an audience facing the stage. The tank which preferably isoblong in form, has in its rear sidea cavelike recess 7 to provide a chamber for the actors or musicians as best illustrated in Figure 4, and the forward wall of this chamber is curved as shown at 8 for the two-fold purpose of serving as a sounding board and of preventing any break in the vista through the tank from the location of the audience.

The ends 9 of the tank maybe screened from view by curtains 10 and the illusion may be enhanced by a back-drop 12 upon which a marine scene is depicted. The drop curtain is spaced from the tank to provide a passage 13 for the sound of the music made by the performers in thecha'mber 7. Y

In order to still further enhance the illu# sion, motion may be imparted to the water in the tank by means of a fan 14 or other suitable agitating device, and the water may contain live fishes or shown at 15, or plants, shells and other animals or objects found in nature below the surface of the ocean.

The drawings illustrate different methods of constructing the tank, it being apparent that if the apparatus is usedas one of a number of stageacts, as in vaudeville, it is desirable that it be readily moved oi'ito the stage and removed after the act is linished.

Figures 1 and 2 show the tank in its simplest form. The ends 9 and the bottom 16 of Y the structure can be made of Wood, metalv or other material while the front 17 and the back 18 are composed of panes of glass. The panes are set in frame 19 provided with packing strips of` rubber or other suitable material to prevent leakage andv the various parts are forced into water-tight contact by set screws 20 lin theend Walls 9.

In Figure 3 is shown a tank composed of sectionsw21 which are placed in end-.to-end engagement. The sections can be made entirely of glass or the bottom may be made of wood or metal. This form Vof the inven-v tion has the advantage of being easily moved from one place to another as is desirable in stage acts, particularly if the tank is large.

The tank 22 illustrated in Figure 5 has both its front wall and its rear wall curved in Asubstantially parallel relation to each other. A tank of this character, especially 1f made in sections, is easily transported which, obviously, isof great advantage tov actors travelling from one city-to another as in a vaudeville circuit.

A narrow tank also contains less water and is more readily filled and emptied. v

In short, the tank may be ymade of any form best suited for the Vparticular act in which it is used and it'is to be understood that different variations in the form of the tank and also in the construction of the same may be resorted to Within the scopeof the invention.

extending inwardly to provide In the use of the illusion apparatus as shown in the drawings and hereinbefore described, the audience sees the body of water and through the same the actors which may enter the chamber or space behind the tank while the stage is dark or by means of a slide or other contrivance, which not being an essential part of the invention, have not been shown in the drawings.

The illusion is heightened by dressing the actors in appropriate costumes to represent fishes or divers or mermaids and by the use of properly directed lamps, the entire scene may be illuminated so as to enhance its artistic and mystifying eifect upon lthe audience.

It the tank is suiiiciently large, the chamber or space behind the same may contain a piano and other instruments and a number of musicians may be gathered in the chamber to produce orchestral or choral music. The sound of the music is propagated to the audience through the space 13 and can be clearly heard which, of course, increases the delusion.

Vhile the above described invention is more particularly designed for stage illusion, itl may be adapted for house use as a tank for gol'dish etc. In this case, the chamber, which in the illusion apparatus is occupied by the performers, can contain plants which would show through the front of the tank, and thereby create the eifect that they are growing under Water.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In illusion apparatus, a tank containing a body of water and adapted to form a liquid screen before an audience in a place of entertainment, the rear wall of the tank curving inwardly to provide a chamber for performers.

2. In illusion apparatus, a vtank containing a body of water and adapted to form a liquid screen before an audience in a place of entertainment, the front and rear wallsot the tank being curved over a space to provide a chamber for performers behind the tank.

3. In illusion apparatus, a tank containing a body of Water and adapted to form a liquid screen beforev an audience in a place of entertainment, the rear wall of the tank a chamber for performers. Y

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

ELMER E. SCHLOTZ. 

